HC Deb 12 July 1962 vol 662 c1502
26. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the teaching of temperance is included in the syllabus of schools under his control.

Mr. K. Thompson

This is a matter for the teachers to decide. Suggestions for their consideration are contained in the Ministry's pamphlet "Health Education".

Mrs. Slater

This Question may be misconstrued. It deals not merely with the question of drink but with temperance in all other aspects of life. Is it not important that, when people are concerned about youth generally in all aspects, encouragement should be given by the Minister to teachers to include much more of this teaching? The kind of lesson—whether hygiene or any other —would not matter, but this teaching should be done so that in our schools we lay the foundations of temperance amongst young folk.

Mr. Thompson

I think the fact that there is relatively so small a proportion of unsatisfactory behaviour among young people as a whole is evidence that teachers are aware of their responsibilities and do this job quite well.